In the spirit of balancing preserving the history of this two-year diary with moving forward, I'm in the process (when I'm not trading) of creating a new & expanded site on a different platform that will host the best of the old, as well as some new innovations designed to continue to support and motivate traders of all types across the world.

The site will use WordPress (my new toy during non trading times so I can SOOT) which will allow for much more than I could do here, and is currently under development, but since I tend to move quickly I'm hoping to have a Weekend Trader post -- which I plan on continuing -- up sometime over the weekend.

So look for new formats & themes as we move ahead.

And keep the suggestions coming as we look to continue to strengthen traders in every way possible.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Please note the following epilogue marks an end to the current phase of this journal, as well as a new yet-to-be-defined beginning as I take an indefinite hiatus from public journaling to simply trade my private fund and consider the future. Stay tuned via both the blog and twitter.

As traders, we search.

We first search for knowledge. An in-depth knowledge of our craft so we can provide a market service, extracting profits to sustain ourselves in the process.

Along the way, once the knowledge is obtained, the search often shifts to that of heart and courage as we face constant challenges -- both internal and external -- that are thrust upon us on a daily basis.

Yet we're all searching for that elusive, magical place. That place that can instantly provide the knowledge, heart, and courage which we lack. That place where all of the market challenges have been overcome and are finally behind us once and for all. That place where our career dreams are fully realized, and pain is no more.

And during our search, we stumble across an abundance of "wizards" who we're told can provide everything for which we're searching.

Yet with due respect to Jack Schwager, there's no such thing as a wizard (guides, yes ... wizards, no), just as there aren't any instant cures for those who lack knowledge, heart, or courage.

For time after time, we realize that such people are -- at best, simply on the same journey we are -- and at worst, hiding behind a curtain pulling levers and pushing buttons that merely results in a grand illusion.

Then we realize -- usually to our surprise -- that the journey never ends. Instead, the road (yellow perhaps) simply winds and twists as we encounter new places and challenges.

# # #

Over the last two years, I felt called to essentially remind those on a similar journey to mine -- through this diary and the more formal Jellie education -- that we're all on the same journey, and that the true answers lie within each of us.

You have the power within you.

You always have.

I simply reminded you in as many ways as I could think of -- through personal experiences, videos, sports and movie anologies, parables, formal education, and personal interaction.

726 times.

May the classic words of L. Frank Baum(please click on the link as I couldn't embed the video due to copyright restrictions ... and particularly take note of seconds 30-50), and all the words of this journal over the last two years guide all who venture upon these pages ... now and forevermore.

And may God grant us all the strength on our respective inner journeys.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

7/4 Update - I added the dates for the final 2010 Jellie Training session at the bottom.

Wowzer in terms of awaking to a flood of emails in response to Friday's video.

While I wasn't going to post again this weekend, it's easier for me to respond once via the blog vs. answering dozens of emails (and it's only 2pm on Saturday).

First, thanks for the tremendous outpouring of support for past efforts. And while "thanks" doesn't do it justice, it's the only word I can think of for now.

And as I consider the future over the coming days, please remember that every book has a final chapter, and this two-year journal reflects a virtual "book" of 725 pages which can be bookmarked and referenced over and over again ... more than any book in my entire library.

If either of my kids took up trading, I'd essentially provide them the blog and Jellie Webinars, and ask them to make sure they read every post in the key post list in the lower left-hand margin.

I'd also tell them that "new" material isn't always necessary, which is why many of the classic books remain ... well, classic ... although markets certainly change from time to time. I also personally dislike producing "re-run" material, which is sort of like reinventing the wheel when you can instead simply point people to the pile of wheels in the corner. And many times, I frankly just feel like driving the car with the wind in my hair -- which takes energy not consumed by building wheels!

Regardless of what form this journal takes on July 5th and beyond, this living document and its spirit of the last two years will remain available, as will -- at least for now -- access to the Jellie Webinars which remain the most comprehensive educational product I'll likely ever produce. And yes, I'm still planning to run one final live multi-week event in the fall of 2010 (Dates now set for 9/7-10/1), but you'll need to let me know quickly.

Final 2010 Jellie Training

About Me

Don is an intraday S&P E-Mini Trader and Member of the CME who has educated traders and advocated for industry transparency since 1999. Long-term performance of his privately traded fund ranks among the industry's best at over +800% from its 2004 inception to 2010. His 2008 performance of +214% +$1.6 Million bested the industry's top CTAs.